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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
The Republic of the Congo has joined the league of LNG exporters following loading of the first cargo from the Congo LNG project and its departure to the Piombino regasification terminal in Italy.
Coming onstream just one year after project sanction, the Congo LNG project is expected to open up opportunities for economic growth while contributing to the global energy balance and Europe’s energy security, according to project developer Eni.
The zero-flaring project, situated within the Marine XII permit in the South Atlantic, is expected to achieve a plateau gas liquefaction capacity of approximately 4.5bn m3/y within two years. It is being developed in two phases. The first phase saw loading of the first cargo from the Tango FLNG floating unit at the end of February, to be transported to the Piombino regasification terminal in Tuscany, Italy. Anchored at a water depth of about 40 metres, the Tango FLNG is able to store over 180,000 m3 of LNG and 45,000 m3 of LPG. A second FLNG unit will be positioned offshore in a second phase of development.
Meanwhile, with the anticipated start-up of the Republic of the Congo’s new 50,000 b/d refinery – due to come online in 2025 – the country is set to become self-sufficient in domestic demand, leaving excess production available for further export to international markets, according to the African Energy Chamber (AEC).
The Republic of the Congo launched its Gas Master Plan (GMP) in 2021 with the aim of promoting significant investment opportunities for regional and international stakeholders. These include national oil company SNPC Congo and supermajors Chevron, TotalEnergies and Eni, as well as independent hydrocarbon producers Perenco and Lukoil.
‘Through initiatives such as the GMP, the Republic of the Congo is making great strides towards capitalising on its natural gas wealth. The country’s gas resources stand to play a central role in facilitating global energy security while accelerating a transition to a decarbonised energy future. The launch of the first carrier from the Congo LNG project is a testament to this and we are proud to have reached this milestone,’ said Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua on the loading of the first cargo.
The SNPC, Eni and Lukoil signed a contract for the purchase and sale of LNG in September 2023, in a deal that will leverage resources from the Marine XII permit while utilising income derived from the project to support the country’s electricity, mining, agriculture and industries sectors, notes the AEC.
The Republic of the Congo is also the fifth largest exporter of crude oil in Africa, with an average export volume of 210,000 b/d of its flagship Djeno crude in 2022. The country also produces and exports light sweet M’Kossa and heavy sweet Yombo crude derivatives, primarily to Chinese markets.
‘It’s safe to say that the Republic of the Congo is closing in on its LNG export dream and proving to the world that there are ways to monetise immense natural gas discoveries while helping to decarbonise the world’s energy mix,’ comments NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
